The Year’s Best, Zippiest, Cheap E-Bikes

Every electric bike on this list is sub $1,500—from urban cruisers to folding models, even one that reaches 28 mph.

By
Matt Jacobs

Jan 24, 2019

Trevor Raab

Used to be you’d have to shell out a pretty penny to grab a piece of the e-bike fun. And while high-priced models still and always will exist—you can own a Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo mountain bike for a mere 12 grand—there are now some very affordable options that weren’t available a year ago. If you’re in it more for the fun than you are for high performance, you likely won’t notice where that extra money is being saved. For example, every bike on this list uses a hub-drive motor versus a mid-drive type, is designed with less integration (think battery and lights), mixes in some lower-quality parts, and has a top speed of 20 mph (save for the Aventon Pace 500, which boosts up to 28 mph). The trade-off: Every bike on this list is sub-$1,500. Here’s what you’ll typically get with an e-bike in this price range.

Hub Motor

Every e-bike here uses a hub motor rather than a mid-drive motor. Hub motors (the original industry standard and the lower-cost of the two) can be located on either the front or, more commonly, the rear wheel. Hub motors typically don’t offer the same natural maneuverability as today’s increasingly more common mid-drive motors because their weight is concentrated in the front or rear of the bike. In contrast, a mid-drive motor’s weight is low and centered over the bottom bracket, resulting in better control and a more balanced ride feel, much like a traditional bike. A hub motor’s top speed typically maxes out at 20 mph. Some bikes on this list don’t go over 15 mph.

You’ll also notice that e-bikes with hub motors feel zippier straightaway while those with mid-drive motors are slow to warm. That’s because a hub motor works using a speed sensor, meaning it’s directly related to the rider’s cadence. It senses how fast you’re pedaling no matter what gear you’re in—if you want to go faster, pedal faster, not harder. This is more convenient for city and commuter-type e-bikes because the motor does a lot of the work for you, allowing you to be a bit more relaxed. A mid-drive motor uses a torque sensor, which gives you a more authentic ride feel but gives back only what you put in. In other words, if you want to go faster, you have to pedal harder. This type of motor is more ideal for road and mountain bikes because you still get the assist without sacrificing control, balance, and that natural ride feel.

Upsides to using a hub motor with a speed sensor: It’s cheaper, easier to maintain, and less complex. Downside: Because the motor doubles as your wheel’s hub, changing a flat is no easy task.

Cheaper Components

Usually, the cheaper the bike the cheaper the parts. But this doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be riding around on a rattling tin can. It just means that the bike’s designers took into consideration where they could include lower-level parts without sacrificing safety while putting the money where it counts most—hydraulic disc brakes, decent tires, a reliable e-system. So while you may still get a Shimano groupset, you likely won’t get the top-tier version. And though the electrical components on some of these bikes might not be plastered with a familiar name, like Bosch or Shimano, that doesn’t mean they’re not capable. Aventon, for example, uses a custom e-system (rather than a complete one) that was pieced together specifically for the Pace 500 because the designers didn’t want to limit the bike’s design specifications.

Battery Range and Integration

Let’s face it, at this price you likely won’t get a bike that hides its battery with any sort of elegance. Except for a few of the folding e-models on this list that tuck one inside the frame, most are stuck to the top of the down tube or behind the seatpost. Don’t expect to ride across the state on these, either. The highest range in this list is 50 miles (Aventon Pace 500); the lowest is the SwagCycle EB-5, at 15—enough to get from the train to the office and back to the train. Check the bike’s battery range before you buy to make sure it fits your daily needs.

Types of Bikes

Bikes you won’t find on this list: high-end road models, mid- and long-tail e-cargo bikes, and burly mountain bikes. At this price range, you’ll see mostly city/urban models, casual cruisers, and folding bikes. The latter group is meant for short commutes, zipping around town, and overall fun. For these reasons alone, lower-cost components, a battery with a shorter range, a cheaper hub motor, and a less-than-integrated design are really all you need to get in on the e-bike fun. Here’s a list of 9 models to consider.

Aventon Pace 500

A stylish and casual commuter that goes a whopping 28 mph—and has a throttle.Price: $1,400Full Review

The Class 3 Aventon Pace 500 urban e-bike has five levels of pedal assist and tops out at 28 mph. But the Pace has something not found on a lot of modern e-bikes. In addition to pedal power, it also has a throttle—in the case of the Pace, a small thumb paddle on the left side of the handlebar next to the control unit that holds at a steady 20 mph, no pedaling required. The bike itself has an aluminum frame, a swept-back handlebar, ergo grips, a sturdy kickstand, hydraulic disc brakes, 8-speed Shimano Altus shifting and gearing, 27.5x2.2-inch Kenda e-bike-rated tires, a saddle the size of Texas, and good ol’ classic city/commuter-bike geometry. It doesn’t come equipped with fenders or a rear rack, but you can add them. Power comes in the form of a 500-watt rear-hub motor, a semi-integrated battery on the down tube (with a range of up to 50 miles), and a backlit display unit mounted on the stem.

Tuesday August Live! LS

A beach cruiser that can tackle climbs as well as it can the boardwalk. Price: $1,400Full Review

As long as you can do without some of the perks that pricier models offer—like a detailed display unit, integrated lights, and a torque-sensor motor—the August Live! LS is a solid, stable, comfortable, and really freakin’ cute (have you see those polka-dot fenders?) e-bike. Its 8-speed twist shifter, chopper-style handlebar, Touch Down Geometry (for a more laid-back ride), and three levels of assist keep this bike within the realm of “cruiser.” But with a 250-watt Bafang rear-hub motor, a top pedal-assisted speed of 20 mph, and reliable disc brakes, the August is no joke. It’ll get you to the top of relatively steep climbs without forcing you out of the saddle, and it feels super stable on the way back down. It has a battery range of 20 miles, but that’s enough to take it where it’s happiest: tootling along at the beach, around town, and through the park.

Blix Vika Travel

A compact, folding e-bike that comes with a handy carrying case.Price: $1,500

At 38 pounds, the Vika is among the smaller and lighter folding e-bikes out there—and much like its fellow 16-inch-wheeled colleague, the Brompton, the aluminum alloy bike is powered by a 250-watt front-hub motor. Included with the motor and electric system are four levels of pedal assist and a throttle for burning rubber in the bike lane (well, up to 17mph), all of which can be controlled by an LCD display that shows your speed, range, trip meter, and odometer. The battery has a range of up to 30 miles. As for the non-electric components of the bike, 7-speed Shimano Acera gearing gives you everything you need to keep pedaling with the e-assist turned off, with Tektro V brakes for stopping. Ultimately, it’s a pretty great bargain for a fast folding bike that packs down smaller than most e-folding bikes. Plus, the entire bike also comes with a canvas carry bag so you can easily tote it around when not in use.

Schwinn Monroe 250

The classic and stylish look of this city style bike makes it one of the more aesthetically appealing in our roundup. It’s not just pretty though. The 250-watt hub motor will run for up to 45 miles on a single charge and offer assistance up to 20mph. A basic LED display shows which of the five assist levels you are using and has a battery-level indicator that consists of five blue dots. To cycle through the assist levels, there is a thumbpad on the handlebar. The lightweight aluminum frame contributes to the Monroe's low 42-pound overall (claimed) weight and also to its affordability. The low-cost package comes with rim brakes and a single-speed drivetrain. The Monroe 250 is a sturdy and simple e-bike that is best suited to urban and road riding, but the rim brakes mean it’s best used at slower speeds in more controlled environments.

e-Joe GADIS Step-Thru Cruiser

A powerful 500-watt rear-hub motor and five levels of pedal assist, plus a throttle, provide assistance up to 20 mph, and the down tube-mounted battery lasts up to 45 miles and has a claimed charge time of 4 to 6 hours. The frame’s low standover means even riders with a little less confidence will feel comfortable mounting and dismounting the bike, and putting their feet down when stopped in traffic. The bike includes fenders and rear rack—which ups the bike’s total load capacity to 350 pounds—and a suspension fork to take some of the harshness out of crumbling city streets. Disc brakes, 7-speed Shimano gearing, 26-inch wheels, and 1.95-inch tires dress the frame. And a display unit shows speed, distance, assist level, and battery life.

Ride 1Up 500 Series City

A practical ride with a ton of add-ons.Price: $1,100 (without optional LCD display)

The 500 Series City is a real contender for replacing your car. The battery has a claimed charge of 60 miles and the 500-watt motor has a top pedal-assisted speed of 25 mph, making it ideal for zipping around town and commuting. A throttle on the handlebar will propel you at 20mph if you prefer not to risk getting sweaty. To help your visibility at night, an integrated headlight runs off the main battery and can be operated most easily via the optional LCD display. The display will also show your speed and which if the 9 pedal assist levels you are in. The curved handlebar and upright riding position should be comfortable for most riders and there’s a Suntour suspension fork to help take some of the sting out of bumpy roads.

VeloMini Plus

Folds down to a 2x3-foot package, but fits riders taller than 6 feet.Price: $1,300

If your commute includes multiple modes of public transport, or you live in a tiny Manhattan apartment, you’ll appreciate the VeloMini’s folded size of 2x3 feet—and the fact that its one-size-only option includes riders over 6 feet tall. And at 29 pounds, it’s not a total burden to lug up and down steps. A front-hub motor provides a max speed of 14 mph via a throttle and three pedal-assist levels, and the battery will last a claimed 18 miles. Those aren’t huge numbers, but they’re enough to satisfy someone with a short commute or whose errands can all be run close to home. The display is a push-button style pad rather than an LCD screen, but it still offers a clear indication of battery life and assist level. And the integrated lights are a bonus if your workday runs long.

Propella Single-Speed

Looks like a traditional road bike, and disguises its battery as a water bottle.Price: $1,100

The stylish Propella Single-Speed will look good in any hip city setting—anodized blue rims, attractive black frame, matching saddle and grips. And that giant water bottle on the down tube? That’s actually a removable and lockable battery with a 35-mile range (which recharges in a claimed 2.5 hours). With a top speed of 18 mph from a 250-watt Bafang rear-hub motor, and five levels of pedal assist, this 35-pound (claimed) aluminum road-style e-bike is a breeze to zip around on—and wouldn’t be a bear to ride if the battery ran out of juice, especially with those aero rims. But it’s a singlespeed, so it’s most efficient in flat areas with subtle hills.

Sondors Fold

The Sondors Fold is unique as the only folding fat e-bike on our list. It has 20-inch wheels and 4-inch wide tires so it can fold into a small package and still handle loose terrain when open. It’s only available in one size but the saddle and handlebar height can be quickly adjusted to find the right fit. Turning those small but fat wheels can be hard work so the Fold comes with a 350-watt motor that will offer assistance up to 20mph. The battery will run for up to a claimed 68 miles with pedal assist or 34 miles if you only use the throttle. There are five levels of pedal assist and you can scroll through them using the LCD display, which also shows speed, battery life, and outside temperature.

SwagCycle EB-5

Stash it in your trunk, tuck it away in your apartment, take it on the train.Price: $500

The SwagCycle EB-5 arrives at your door completely built, so you can get out riding immediately. The lightweight aluminum frame makes it easy to carry, and its small size when folded means it can be taken on pubic transport, easily stored in an apartment, or stashed in the trunk so it can join you on vacation. It has a 250-watt hub motor and uses both pedal assist and a throttle—just switch between the two when the need arises. Battery range is 15 miles—enough for short commutes or casual rides—but you’d be wise to keep an eye on battery life or you’ll find yourself pedaling a 37-pound bike with 14-inch wheels unassisted, which is no easy task.

Ecotric Fat Bike

That’s right. A fat e-bike for less than $1,000. The 500-watt rear hub motor operates as pedal-assist or via a throttle on the handlebar. Using the throttle, the battery will give you a claimed 25 miles of riding before it needs another charge. If you choose to pedal, there are three assistance levels and each is visible on the LCD display. You can also read battery life, distance, and it gives you the option to enable a speed limit. The bike comes with a Shimano 7-speed drivetrain and mechanical disc brakes plus four-inch-wide tires that are great for riding in the sand, snow, or mud. If the bike gets muddy but needs a charge indoors, the battery can be easily removed and charged while off the bike.

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